Author Archives: functionallymentall

Mental Punishments

Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 12-27-2025 Mental disorders are finally getting some recognition and empathy, but there is still a long way to go with educating our general public. One topic that is rarely highlighted, is how our mental illnesses can bleed onto other people. People do not choose to have mental disorders, it’s an unfortunateContinue reading “Mental Punishments”

Never Thankful

Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 11-27-2025 “You walk through life while a rain storm follows. And all the while, people talk to you about the sun, as if you can feel it.” I want to be more satisfied. With the world, with other people, and with myself. Trauma and depression were my greatest barriers. But, itContinue reading “Never Thankful”

PTSD & Minimization

Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 11-07-2025 I learned early on in my career that I cannot ask someone “Have you experienced any traumatic events?” Why? Because I had to recognize that if I want the truth, I need to be specific so that the client cannot minimize or deny what they have been through. They don’tContinue reading “PTSD & Minimization”

Interventions for Attachment Anxiety

Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 10-13-2025 “Your loneliness will teach you why you settled.” -EaE Lately, I have been discussing attachment anxiety with a good amount of my patients. This topic requires in depth processing and unpacking various root causes. Many people with attachment anxiety are victims of childhood wounds and unhealthy social teachings. Their neglectContinue reading “Interventions for Attachment Anxiety”

Disorganized Attachment

Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 10-04-2025 It’s human nature to seek love, because it is a developmental, physiological, mental, and emotional need. But what happens when this need is met with both love and chaos? Love with abuse? Love with betrayal? Love with confusion? People might develop the pattern of seeking love while fearing it. TheyContinue reading “Disorganized Attachment”

Grappling through Life

Interviewer: Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ BJJ Purple belt Interviewee: Joshua Murdock/ BJJ Black belt/ Pedigo Submission Fighting–Daisy Fresh Team-Mt Vernon, IL/ Bronze Medalist ADCC Open & Master Worlds IBJJF The Brazilian jiu jitsu circle is small. Chances are if I do not know a BJJ athlete, I at least know someone who knows them. IfContinue reading “Grappling through Life”

Primary Care Behavioral health

Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 08-24-2025 We are no longer in a debate of ‘nature vs nurture’. It is nature and nurture combined, working together, every single day. Around the clock. Causing confusion. As everyone hopes that there will be one direct cause, and one specific cure. And a prognosis, with an end in sight. Ultimately,Continue reading “Primary Care Behavioral health”

Sex Therapy

Interviewer: Elisa A. Escalante, LCSW, Advanced Cert in Veteran services, Martial artist Interviewee: Ashleigh Jackson, LMHC, Level II EMDR, certified sex therapist, Yoga instructor Ashleigh Jackson is a licensed mental health counselor in Florida and has owned her own private practice since 2016. I originally followed Ashleigh Jackson on TikTok. Why? Because I am interestedContinue reading “Sex Therapy”

Spectrums

Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 06-30-2025 Do you recall any time in your life when the people around you gave you warnings of what to do or what not to do? Don’t do that too much, it could be a crutch. Don’t isolate too much, but also you don’t need to be around people all theContinue reading “Spectrums”